How to entertain a 1 year old while hospitalized?

HawaiiBrideGrm

I know, Britt, you will have suggestions... please send 'em. Anyone else, too? TIA!

My niece is 14 months and will have surgery next week to repair a venous malformation between her eyes (looks like a hemangioma but is under the skin). Anyhow, it's a 7 hour procedure and is at the local Children's hospital like 2 hours away from where we live. I want to prepare a "care package" for my niece and sister so their time in hospital is less "painful" if you will. YOu know, ways to keep them busy. She just started walking so this will be a PITA for my sis and bro-in-law considering she'll have bandages on her face, prob won't be able to see well due to it's location, and she prob fall a lot.

Thanks so much, ladies!

brittneycc1982

Hmm, 14 months old is a lot different than 2 1/2.  14 month olds are hard to entertain at home! lol  How long do they have to stay post op?  They have wagons at the Childrens hospitals and that will probably be their best friend.  I know when Syd would come to visit, that's all she wanted to do!  She was 13/14 months at the time.  Other than that, you can send then with some age appropriate snacks, a new sippy, maybe a blankey, a baby doll, 'baby' markers or crayons, dress up necklaces, a ball.  Those are all things that S is into right now.

 

brightning

That's so tough!

My good friend's DD is 15 mos right now. She is really into putting stuff into containers (I got her the FP old fashioned barn that opens up and all the pieces go inside). She also really likes small baby dolls that she can hold. And snacks! She really loves to eat. She also really likes books, esp. lift-the-flap books. Bubbles.

I hope it all goes smoothly for them.

brittneycc1982

Yes!  Books and bubbles! 

Read2Me

Eva was in the hospital when she was about that age.  She was just starting to get into coloring so a couple coloring books or pads of plain paper with crayons might be liked.  Maybe some snack foods- goldfish crackers, cereal bars, etc.  The hospital provides meals but not snacks and kids tend to want to eat all day.  Cute jammies and slippers or gripper socks would also be good.  Also some books or magazine for mom would surely be appreciated.  I stayed at the hospital the whole time Eva was there and it got pretty boring at times, especially when she was sleeping. 

Pesky

Books

balls -- the textured ones might be neat

stacking cups or those shape sorter things (she can put things into it)

FP Little Mommy baby doll

DVD -- keep them short so a DVD with a few episodes of Blues Clues or Caillou or the like.  Also song ones that are easier to keep her attention.

Musical instruments

Maybe a GC to a place to eat near the hospital

Sesame Street/Elmo cell phone or remote control